Since the start of the 2002 school year, the RPI tennis club has come a long way. The club’s main function remains to provide its members with a comfortable environment to practice their tennis skills, learn the game, or just smash some tennis balls.
Last November, the club enjoyed its first intercollegiate tournament, winning three matches against the Syracuse University tennis club. This past weekend, the club traveled to Harvard University to challenge the Crimson tennis club to a top-flight match.
And oh, what a weekend it was.
While New England was rocking in anticipation of game three between the Red Sox and the Yankees, the RPI Tennis Club brought its best effort in a thrilling tennis match against Harvard on Saturday, October 11. The scene of the excitement was the indoor Palmer-Dixon Tennis Center, complete with three exquisite courts, as well as the Murr Center, one of the most stellar tennis facilities in the Northeast. But more important than the playing surface was the club’s overall spirit and performance against the vaunted Harvard club team.
Twelve RPI students represented the club, including six singles players and three doubles teams. Making the trip as singles players were seniors Vi Nguyen and Shawn Sankaran, sophomores Lamaar Walker and Chad Coppola, and freshmen Matt Weed and Chris Costello. Composing the three doubles teams were freshmen Pat Yu and Lauren Roberti, freshman James Farrell and sophomore Harlan Milkove, and seniors Alejandro Jaramillo and Neeraj Joshi.
Not only did all 12 players enjoy success, but the heart and team spirit of everyone was also unmatched. “This experience prepared us well for our upcoming matches,” commented Sankaran.
One of the team’s greatest strengths was its diversity. Mixing power and finesse, every single set involved some fantastic tennis action. “It was [very] tight,” exclaimed co-president Jaramillo. Another area of diversity included the overall makeup of the team. Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors were able to demonstrate their talents. The total of 12 players was an improvement from a year ago, when eight RPI Tennis Club members took on Syracuse.
With such a dynamic team, the club walked into Harvard and left in the highest of spirits. “The trip to Harvard was a very good learning experience for the club,” Walker remarked, “We have members this year who far surpass any skill level that we’ve ever seen in the tennis club. We’re getting better as a club, and more importantly, better as a team.” Clearly a new attitude was born, and the club seeks to approach every future match with a strong dose of confidence.
The club invites you to join the fun and fend off the Syracuse tennis club team on Saturday, November 15. Be a part of history as the club seeks victory in its third intercollegiate match. The tennis club would also like to invite you to check out the tennis club sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2-4 pm, or visit their website at http://www.rpitennisclub.org. The tennis club is open to players of all levels. Please contact president Neeraj Joshi at joshin@rpi.edu if interested.
